Review of the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Grant Programme

What funding is available for the voluntary and community sector through the central government grants system? There are a lot of funding streams overseen by the different government departments, each with a distinct application process and funding criteria. The Office of the Third Sector provides a roundup of this information through its Funding Central web resource. However, the main funding source for those working with or for children and families is the Department for Children, Schools and Families' (DCSF) Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) grant programme.

What is the CYPF grant programme? It was introduced in April 2006 and offers both strategic and project grants to third sector organisations in England. Strategic grants are awarded for work of national significance that focuses on improving outcomes for children, young people and families including: capacity building; support networks; and the development of specialist services. Project grants are awarded to "innovation activities" that suggest new approaches to working with children and families that will improve outcomes for disadvantaged groups, or to local projects that should be disseminated more widely.